Syllabus for MAP 1101.3101 / 1111.3111

Spring, 2010

Page 1 of 8

SOUTHWESTERN ASSEMBLIES OF GODUNIVERSITY

APPLIED PIANO - MAP 1101/3101 or 1111/3111

Adjunct Faculty: Christi GuynesSpring, 2010

Course Syllabus

Course Description

This is private piano instruction. Applied lessons should emphasize technique, sight reading, improvisation, accompanying and repertoire.

Course Objectives

The expectations for students will vary widely because of the developmental level of each student. However, upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:

1.Demonstrate technical aspects by playing scales, arpeggios and chordal cadences as prescribed by the instructor at the beginning of the semester;

2.Demonstrate sight-reading skills by playing material selected by the instructor;

3.Demonstrate improvisational skills by improvising hymns, gospel pieces and choruses by harmonizing a melody with simple chordal accompaniments;

4.Have covered material that will enrich an overall repertoire;

  1. Demonstrate proper posture and hand positions for piano playing skills;
  2. Develop hand and finger coordination and facility on the keyboard;
  3. Identify musical symbols and be able to produce music at the keyboard;
  4. Know the terminology indicative to music and piano playing skills;
  5. Identify and write chords;
  6. Develop many areas of musicianship through the accurate realization and interpretation of notation;
  7. Give correct identification and usage of basic musical vocabulary from various pieces of music;
  8. Memorize pieces as assigned by the instructor

Additionally, upon completion of this course the Music Educationstudent should be able to demonstrate the following knowledge and skills as stated in the Music Standards. These standards help prepare the student to pass the TExES exam.

Standard I: The music teacher has a comprehensive visual and aural knowledge of musical perception and performance:

1.1kstandard terminology used to describe and analyze musical sound;

1.2kmusical artistry through instrumental performance and by conducting instrumental performances.

Standard II: The music teacher sings and plays a musical instrument:

2.1kmethods and techniques for playing a musical instrument;

2.2ktechniques for performing vocally and instrumentally as part of a group;

2.3ka varied musical repertoire for vocal and instrumental performance.

Standard III: The music teacher has a comprehensive knowledge of music notation:

3.1khow to read, recognize aurally, and interpret music notation;

3.2khow to write standard music notation.

Standard IV: The music teacher creates and arranges music:

4.1kmethods and techniques of musical composition and improvisation.

Standard V: The music teacher has a comprehensive knowledge of music history and the relationship of music to history, society, and culture:

5.1kmusic of diverse genres, styles, and cultures;

5.2kmajor periods, styles, and individuals in the history of music and their significance;

Standard VI: The music teacher applies a comprehensive knowledge of music to evaluate musical compositions, performances, and experiences:

6.1kthe criteria used to evaluate and critique musical compositions;

6.2kthe criteria used to evaluate and critique musical performances and experiences.

Standard VII: The music teacher understands how to plan and implement effective music instruction and provides students with learning experiences that enhance their musical knowledge, skills, and appreciation.

7.5kthe importance of helping students develop music skills that are relevant to their own lives;

7.6kthe importance of providing each student with a level of musical self-sufficiency to encourage lifelong enjoyment of music;

7.8kprocedures and criteria for selecting an appropriate repertoire for the music class

7.12kproper health techniques for use during rehearsals and performances;

7.13kappropriate literature to enhance technical skills and provide musical challenges.

Standard IX: The music teacher understands student assessment and uses assessment results to design instruction and promote student progress.

9.1kthe skills needed to form critical judgments about music;

9.3kthe constructive use of criticism when evaluating musical skills or performances.

Text

A variety of piano music, selected by the instructor according to the level of the student, as well as The Basic Book of Scales, Chords, Arpeggios and Cadences, by Palmer, Willard, Morton Manus and Amanda Vick Lethco; Alfred Publishing, Van Nuys, California.

It is the student’s responsibility to purchase any music which is selected by the instructor. The student is cautioned to remember the provisions of Copyright Law when duplicating materials.

Course Plan

The main thrust of the learning cycle will be experiential. The training and practical approach to music and piano playing will be given through assignments. Each week technique, improvisation, scales and repertoire will be assigned. The objectives above will be met through individual instruction in a private lesson setting. Lessons will consist of review and in-class demonstration and practice of the materials previously assigned. Students will play pieces and exercises for the teacher, who will then offer constructive criticism, with suggestions for improvement

Course Requirements

  1. All students who enroll in applied piano will be required to pass the Piano Placement Assessment given by the SAGU piano faculty at the beginning of each semester. No student will be allowed to enroll in applied lessons until this assessment is successfully completed. Students who do not pass the PPA will be required to take Class Piano until they are prepared for applied piano.

2.Daily practice (suggested 30-60 minutes each day). A minimum of five hours of practice per week for each one hour credit is required. Continuous lack of practice and preparation for private lessons may result in suspension.

3.Students must memorize at least two pieces, one or both of which will be performed in a studio or departmental recital each semester. Students taking lessons for two credit hours will memorize at least four pieces, or the equivalent. Those students who are enrolled in applied piano for non-majors will not be required to perform on general student recitals. Performance on recitals will be left to the discretion of the individual instructor and the recital coordinator.

4.Students must complete the block of technical materials assigned each semester.

5.Students must play at least one hymn, gospel piece or chorus using improvisational skills and techniques.

  1. All applied music students must meet for a jury exam at the end of each semester of piano instruction. The exam will consist of the student performing all of the technical materials, the repertoire pieces and the improvised hymn, gospel piece or chorus studied during the semester.

7.Recitals:

Recital attendance is required of all music majors each semester of full-time enrollment at Southwestern (MAP 1000 Recital Attendance). Students will be required to attend a minimum of seventy percent (70%) of all recitals held on campus each semester. General Student Recitals are held each Monday at 4:15 p.m. in the Foster Music Center Rehearsal Hall, beginning the first week of classes. Recitals will include performances by music students and faculty, music department forums, and lectures by special guests and music faculty. Evening recitals are held at various times throughout the semester and will be advertised in chapel, posters in the FosterMusicCenter, on the SAGU Music web page and through mailers to student mail boxes.

All non-music major applied music students are required to attend three recitals per semester. Attendance will be calculated as part of the final grade.

Syllabus for MAP 1101.3101 / 1111.3111

Spring, 2010

Page 1 of 8

All applied music students must register for MAP 1000 Recital Attendance until all recital attendance requirements have been met. A minimum of six semesters of recital attendance is required for graduation with a degree in Church Music, Music Performance, Music Education or Church Ministries/Music. A minimum of two semesters of recital attendance is required for graduation with a AA/Minor in Music. Grading will be on a Pass/Fail basis.

On-campus recital credit is determined by students submitting an attendance slip which will be distributed at each recital.

Each recital performance will be graded and averaged in as a “lesson grade”. Any student who misses a scheduled general recital without previous notification to their instructor will receive a grade reduction for the week. If there is a valid reason, the recital performance may be made up at the discretion of the individual instructor and the Recital Coordinator.

  1. Quizzes, tests, playing all of the major and minor scales two octaves, extra reading, writing, practicing, and playing of the repertoire may be assigned as necessary to enhance the musicianship of a piano performer.

9.At the end of the sophomore year the piano student will be expected to demonstrate mastery of the piano techniques described in the piano proficiency requirements (see Music Department Handbook). The Piano Proficiency Examination (PPE) will be administered by the applied music faculty, and should be performed during the scheduled jury exam. Each music major will be required to take the proficiency of their major specialization. All music majors are required to take the PPE (register for MAP 2000 Piano Proficiency). Not required for non-music majors.

10.All graduating students (Piano Performance Majors) will give a senior recital as one of the requirements for a degree. The senior recital will involve a minimum of 60 minutes of actual performance for each recital. The applied music faculty will determine whether the recital meets the requirement for the degree prior to the performance. This judgment will be based upon interpretation, technique, memorization, and general musicianship. If the recital is not accepted, it must be repeated. Additional recital requirements are listed in the Music Department Handbook.

Course Assignments

This course will be individualized according to the level and needs of each student. Each student will be assigned:

1.A block of technical materials including scales, arpeggios, and chord progressions.

2.Pieces from standard repertoire.

3.Hymn arrangements.

4.Improvisational studies (hymns, gospel songs, choruses).

5.Materials for sight-reading practice.

Exams

Students will receive a weekly evaluation throughout the semester by the instructor, and a final jury evaluation by the music faculty.

Final Exam (Jury)

The jury exam will be held one week before the regularly scheduled final exams. The exam schedule will be posted on the bulletin board. Each student is required to sign up for a jury time. Students with scheduling problems may arrange with the professor (subject to the professor’s approval) to take the exam at an alternate time. However, if the student misses the scheduled jury time then a zero will be assigned as the jury grade.

Performance Dates

All recital dates will be posted on the bulletin board in the FosterMusicCenter and posted on the SAGU Music web page.

Grading

The basic criteria for final grades is attendance, attitude, student participation in lesson, practice, musical progress and performance on recitals. The instructor will subjectively monitor your progress, keeping in mind your beginning developmental level, consistency in practice and performance in lessons. Final grades will be determined as follows:

Weekly evaluations70%
Jury20%
Recital Attendance 5%
Recital Performance
Studio Class 5%

Class Policies

  1. Attendance: Southwestern’s on-campus academic program is designed as an in-class learning experience. In this type of instructional setting, the ability to pass examinations and complete outside projects is only a partial measure of the student’s knowledge, skills, understanding, and appreciation of the subject matter. Therefore, students are required to maintain regular and punctual class attendance. Properly obtained and authorized excuses will be necessary for any make-up tests to be offered and to avoid grade penalties for turning in late assignments. Depending upon the circumstances, the instructor reserves the right to refuse late assignments. While attendance will be taken in each class, it is the students' responsibility to keep informed of their attendance standing. The students are further responsible for any material missed by reason of their absence from class whether or not said absence was excused. Students asked to leave a class for disciplinary cause may be counted as absent for that class. Class attendance will be treated in conformity with the corresponding academic catalog regulations:
    This class is scheduled to meet 1 night/day for a total of 14 sessions this semester including the final exam. Absences which exceed twentypercent (20%) of the number of times that a class meets per semester, regardless of the nature or reasonfor the absences, will result in the student being administratively dropped automatically from the course,receiving a grade of “WP” or “WF”. (The student will be assessed the established course withdrawal fee.) In this term, an absence in the 4th session calls for administrative withdrawal.
    Students missing fifteen minutes of a class will be counted as absent for that session. Every two tardiesacquired in classes that meet once or twice a week will be considered as an absence. Every three tardiesin classes that meet three times a week will be considered an absence. The student is responsible, at theend of class, to identify his/her tardiness to the professor. Unless there has been some other notification, students must wait at least 15 minutes for the instructor to arrive before they may leave the class.

There will be no provision for makeup lessonsdue to the number of applied lessons being taught by the instructor per week. Makeup lessons will only be given if the instructor misses the lesson.

2.Tardiness: Students missing fifteen minutes of a lesson will be counted as absent for that lesson, and every two tardies acquired in classes that meet once or twice a week will be considered as an absence. Every three tardies acquired in classes that meet three times a week will be considered an absence incurring the same penalty. The student is responsible, at the end of class, to identify his/her tardiness to the professor. (Since applied lessons only meet once a week, one tardy will be considered as an absence, incurring the same penalty).

3.The teacher is not obligated to teach a lesson if the student is unprepared. Practice before you come for your lesson. You are required to practice a minimum of five hours per week.

  1. Classroom attire: This applies to all classroom instruction; including the fall, Fall, and summer sessions as well as day and night classes.

Men: Nice jeans (must not have any holes), slacks, or nylon wind pants, warm-up pants with pockets. Dress shirts, sports shirts, sweaters, nice sweatshirts, or T-shirts with acceptable/appropriate logos are permissible. Shorts are unacceptable for classroom/chapel attire. Pajama items are not acceptable as outerwear at any time.

Women: Dresses, skirts of a modest length (no slits above the knee)dress slacks, nice jeans (must not have any holes) or nylon wind pants, warm-up pants with pockets. Shorts are unacceptable for classroom/chapel attire. Full-length blouses, sweaters, or nice sweatshirts/T-shirts with acceptable/appropriate logos are suitable (revealing necklines and revealing sleeveless attire are not permitted.) No midriffs allowed. All shorts and sun dresses are unacceptable for chapel or class at any time. Lingerie/Pajama items are not acceptable as outerwear at any time.

  1. General Guidelines: Haircuts for men and women must not be bizarre or appear uncared for or dirty. The men of SAGU may wear beards. They must be kept well shaped and neatly trimmed. Head coverings of any type cannot be worn in the chapel. This applies to both men and women. Men may NOT wear earrings, studs, or plastic inserts at any time or place. New tattoos or body piercing of any kind (including tongue piercing) is not allowed for either male or female students.
  2. Academic Dishonesty and Cheating:

Students are expected to be honest in fulfilling all academic requirements and assignments. This pertains to examinations, themes, book critiques, reading reports, etc. A student will not be allowed to withdraw from a course if he or she is under investigation for academic dishonesty. In the event that the student is determined guilty of academic dishonesty, then the student will not be allowed to withdraw from the course and will receive the grade determined by the faculty member, either the “F” for the assignment and/or an “F” for the course. Dishonesty could possibly result in further disciplinary action. Refer to Major Infractions in the Student Handbook.

  1. Electronic Devices in Class

Inasmuch as electronic devices pose a serious risk to academic integrity, and because mobile phones are disruptive to the learning environment, the instructor reserves the right to control the use of all electronic devices in class (phones, pda’s, calculators, etc.). Students are not permitted to use mobile phones, pda’s or other devices for sending/receiving calls and/or text messages during class. Under no circumstances will students turn on electronic devices or keep them on during tests or quizzes. Text messaging or other inappropriate uses of electronic devices, during a class session, may result in the professor dismissing the student from the class session, and in turn, counting the student as absent. Students who send/receive text messages during an exam, engage in any kind of communication activities which threaten the integrity of the test environment, or photograph on electronic devices test materials or other materials the instructor deems inappropriate for copy may be subject to failure in the exam and/or the course.